Open Bible Data Home  About  News  OET Key

OET OET-RV OET-LV ULT UST BSB MSB BLB AICNT OEB WEBBE WMBB NET LSV FBV TCNT T4T LEB BBE Moff JPS Wymth ASV DRA YLT Drby RV SLT Wbstr KJB-1769 KJB-1611 Bshps Gnva Cvdl TNT Wycl SR-GNT UHB BrLXX BrTr Related Topics Parallel Interlinear Reference Dictionary Search

InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV

Heb C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13

Heb 1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14

OET interlinear HEB 1:1

HEB 1:1 ↓ → ► ║ ©

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

    1. Greek word
    2. Greek lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. Πολυμερῶς
    2. polumerōs
    3. Many ways
    4. -
    5. 41810
    6. D·······
    7. many_ways
    8. many_ways
    9. PS
    10. Y64
    11. 140960
    1. καί
    2. kai
    3. and
    4. -
    5. 25320
    6. C·······
    7. and
    8. and
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140961
    1. πολυτρόπως
    2. polutropōs
    3. many ways
    4. -
    5. 41870
    6. D·······
    7. many_ways
    8. many_ways
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140962
    1. πάλαι
    2. palai
    3. long ago
    4. -
    5. 38190
    6. D·······
    7. long_ago
    8. long_ago
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140963
    1. ὁ
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····NMS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140964
    1. Θεός
    2. theos
    3. god
    4. God
    5. 23160
    6. N····NMS
    7. god
    8. God
    9. GN
    10. Y64; Person=God
    11. 140965
    1. λαλήσας
    2. laleō
    3. having spoken
    4. spoke
    5. 29800
    6. VPAA·NMS
    7. ˓having˒ spoken
    8. ˓having˒ spoken
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140966
    1. τοῖς
    2. ho
    3. to the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····DMP
    7. ˱to˲ the
    8. ˱to˲ the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140967
    1. πατράσιν
    2. patēr
    3. fathers
    4. ancestors
    5. 39620
    6. N····DMP
    7. fathers
    8. fathers
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140968
    1. ἡμῶν
    2. egō
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 14730
    6. R···1G·P
    7. ˱of˲ us
    8. ˱of˲ us
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 140969
    1. ἐν
    2. en
    3. in
    4. -
    5. 17220
    6. P·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140970
    1. τοῖς
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····DMP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140971
    1. προφήταις
    2. profētēs
    3. prophets
    4. prophets
    5. 43960
    6. N····DMP
    7. prophets
    8. prophets
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140972

OET (OET-LV) Many_ways and many_ways long_ago, the god, having_spoken to_the fathers in the prophets

OET (OET-RV) Long ago, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets in many different circumstances and in many different ways,

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–4: Introduction: God has spoken through his Son

The first four verses of the book of Hebrews explain what the book is about. In the past God spoke to his people through his prophets. Now during this later time, he has spoken to his people through his own Son. God’s Son shows people who God is.

In 1:1–2a the author used parallelism to show a contrast between how God spoke in the past and how he speaks now. In the past God spoke through the prophets, but now God speaks to us through his Son. In your translation, it is important to emphasize this contrast, especially the fact that God now speaks to us by the Son.

1:1

1:2

in the past

in these last days

to our fathers

to us

through the prophets

by His Son

In Greek, the four verses in 1:1–4 are one long sentence that describes who the Son is and what he has done. It is common in Greek to have long sentences like this. Most English versions divide this section into several sentences. You may do what is natural in your language.

In 1:2b–3e there are seven important facts about God’s Son:

  1. God appointed his Son to be heir of all things (an important theme in 1:5–6).

  2. God created everything through his Son (an important theme in 1:7–14).

  3. The Son reflects God’s glory (an important theme in 2:5–8).

  4. The Son shows us exactly what God is like.

  5. The Son keeps everything working by his powerful word.

  6. The Son made a way to make people clean from their sin (an important theme in 2:10–17, 5:1–10, 7:1–28, and 9:1–10:18).

  7. The Son sat down on the right side of God (see 1:13 and 8:1–2).

It is good to translate the section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings are:

God has revealed himself to us through his Son.

The greatness of the Son of God

Paragraph 1:1–4

There are several ways to arrange the phrases in 1:1–4. The BSB mostly follows the order of phrases in the Greek text. The NIV uses a different order. Compare the order of the phrases in the BSB and NIV below:

1On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. 2But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son… (BSB)

1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… (NIV)

The NIV puts the phrase “at many times and in various ways” at the end of 1:1 instead of at the beginning, as in the BSB. Use an order that is natural in your language.

1:1a

On many past occasions and in many different ways,

On many past occasions: The phrase On many past occasions refers to past times that have already ended. It refers to the past in contrast to the present. In this context it refers to the times when God spoke to people through prophets. This time period ended several hundred years before the author of Hebrews wrote. Refer to it in a natural way in your language.

in many different ways: The letter to the Hebrews begins with two words which sound like each other, and which are linked by kai ‘and.’ They are polumerōs and polutrōps. Both words start with polu- which means “many,” and they make a striking beginning to this book. The phrase in many different ways indicates that God gave different kinds of messages, including laws, promises, instructions, and prophecies. He communicated these messages in different ways, for example, by dreams, visions, direct messages, signs, and symbols, and events. The prophets who communicated the messages lived at different times in the past.

Other ways to translate the phrase “On many past occasions and in many different ways” are:

using various ways on many different occasions

at many different times and in many different ways (GW)

1:1b

God spoke to our fathers through the prophets.

God spoke to our fathers through the prophets: The phrase spoke…through the prophets indicates that God told the prophets what he wanted them to tell the other people. Then the prophets told the people those messages from God. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

God spoke to our ancestors by means of the prophets

God sent prophets to speak his messages to our forefathers

to our fathers: The phrase to our fathers refers to the ancestors of the author and readers of Hebrews. It refers in general to the people of Israel in the Old Testament, who were descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

prophets: The prophets were men who spoke messages from God. They told others what God revealed to them. Some ways to translate prophets are:

spokesmen for God

men who spoke his/God’s words

his message-speakers

It is good to use a general term that does not focus only on foretelling the future. Prophets did foretell the future, but they also gave people other messages from God. They spoke about their own times, and they told people to stop sinning and to obey God.

When choosing a term for prophets, consider how you will distinguish prophets from other words which are similar in meaning such as “angels,” “apostles,” and “preachers.”

See also prophet meaning 1A in KBT.

General Comment on 1:1a–b

It may be helpful in your language to reorder the phrases in 1:1. For example:

1aIn the past 1bGod spoke to our ancestors through the prophets 1bat many times and in various ways.

1aLong ago, 1bGod spoke to our ancestors 1aat many different times and in many different ways. 1bHe spoke to them through the prophets.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

πολυμερῶς καὶ πολυτρόπως πάλαι

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Πολυμερῶς καί πολυτρόπως πάλαι ὁ Θεός λαλήσας τοῖς πατράσιν ἐν τοῖς προφήταις)

The phrase In many portions shows that God did not speak just once. Rather, he spoke often throughout the time period called long ago. The phrase in many ways shows that God used various means and people to speak to the fathers. The author uses both of these phrases because he wishes to emphasize the variety of times and ways in which God has spoken. If your language does not use repetition for emphasis, and if you cannot represent the author’s two phrases well, you could express the idea using one phrase that emphasizes variety. Alternate translation: [Long ago, with great variety] or [Long ago, using multiple methods in different times,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

πολυμερῶς καὶ πολυτρόπως πάλαι, ὁ Θεὸς, λαλήσας τοῖς πατράσιν ἐν τοῖς προφήταις

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Πολυμερῶς καί πολυτρόπως πάλαι ὁ Θεός λαλήσας τοῖς πατράσιν ἐν τοῖς προφήταις)

The phrase In many portions and in many ways long ago describes how God “spoke” to our fathers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could rearrange the phrases so that In many portions and in many ways long ago does modify having spoken. Alternate translation: [God, having spoken to our fathers through the prophets in many portions and in many ways long ago]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-time-sequential

λαλήσας

˓having˒_spoken

The phrase having spoken introduces an action that took place before the actions that take place in the next verse ([1:2](../01/02.md)). Use a form that introduces action that takes place before something else. Alternate translation: [after speaking]

Note 4 topic: translate-kinship

τοῖς πατράσιν

˱to˲_the fathers

The phrase our fathers refers to the Israelites who were alive before Jesus lived on earth. Not all members of the audience were descended from these Israelites. However, the author can still refer to the Israelites as their fathers because he thinks that all Christians have been included in the family of Abraham, the ancestor of the Israelites. If possible, preserve the family language in your translation. Alternate translation: [our forefathers] or [to the Israelite ancestors]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Greek word
    5. Greek lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. Many ways
    2. -
    3. 41810
    4. PS
    5. polumerōs
    6. D-·······
    7. many_ways
    8. many_ways
    9. PS
    10. Y64
    11. 140960
    1. and
    2. -
    3. 25320
    5. kai
    6. C-·······
    7. and
    8. and
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140961
    1. many ways
    2. -
    3. 41870
    5. polutropōs
    6. D-·······
    7. many_ways
    8. many_ways
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140962
    1. long ago
    2. -
    3. 38190
    5. palai
    6. D-·······
    7. long_ago
    8. long_ago
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140963
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····NMS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140964
    1. god
    2. God
    3. 23160
    4. GN
    5. theos
    6. N-····NMS
    7. god
    8. God
    9. GN
    10. Y64; Person=God
    11. 140965
    1. having spoken
    2. spoke
    3. 29800
    5. laleō
    6. V-PAA·NMS
    7. ˓having˒ spoken
    8. ˓having˒ spoken
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140966
    1. to the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····DMP
    7. ˱to˲ the
    8. ˱to˲ the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140967
    1. fathers
    2. ancestors
    3. 39620
    5. patēr
    6. N-····DMP
    7. fathers
    8. fathers
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140968
    1. in
    2. -
    3. 17220
    5. en
    6. P-·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140970
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····DMP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140971
    1. prophets
    2. prophets
    3. 43960
    5. profētēs
    6. N-····DMP
    7. prophets
    8. prophets
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 140972

OET (OET-LV) Many_ways and many_ways long_ago, the god, having_spoken to_the fathers in the prophets

OET (OET-RV) Long ago, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets in many different circumstances and in many different ways,

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET logo mark

HEB 1:1 ↑ → ► ║ ©